The Contax N1 incorporates 5-Point Wide Array Diagonal Focus System and Fine Focus ABC (Auto Bracketing Control) - technologies not found in any other camera system

5-Point Wide Array Diagonal Focus System enables the user to select the best focusing point for the shot. When composing a shot the main subject is often either near the center of the frame or along diagonals drawn between the four corners. To allow for this the camera is fitted with a focusing system that measures the distance from the lens to these five vital points. It can operate in two ways - Manual Select and Auto Select. In Manual Select mode you override the system to select one out of the five focusing points. In Auto Select you pre-select the camera focus area to All, Upper, Lower, Left or Right and the camera does the rest.

Fine Focus ABC (Auto Bracketing Control) allows the user to make minute adjustments by shifting the focusing point in three auto stages. Professional fashion, portrait and nature photographers often make photos of the same composition, slightly altering the focusing point each time, to obtain ideal focus point. Using Fine Focus ABC in the manual mode, a series of pictures can automatically be made with the focusing point moved to several slightly different positions, normally not observed through the viewfinder.

The Contax N1 also introduces a Dual Focus Mechanism as an extension to the existing manual focus 35mm system. The new mechanism enables users to focus on the subject in a split second by switching between manual and autofocus modes. In AF mode, you simply turn the focusing ring, and the camera switches automatically from focus lock to manual focusing condition, enabling fine manual adjustments. In MF mode, you can switch to AF mode instantly by pressing the focus button. Using this focus mechanism it is possible to make delicate adjustments to the selected focus or, when photographing subjects that are unsuitable for AF, you can change the focus at will without the need to operate complicated switches. In both cases you can concentrate on composing the shot as the controls are positioned in such a way that they can be operated immediately, without the need to take the eye away from the viewfinder.

Another World's first is an optional FE-1 Liquid Crystal Display viewfinder (available Spring 2001) that attaches to the camera's eyepiece so you can preview composition and exposure. The brightness of the 1.5 inch square viewfinder's screen responds to changes made to the exposure, so you can make a visual check of the likely effects of exposure adjustments. The 330,000pixel CCD display screen switches between colour or black & white modes so even monochrome photographers can check the approximate appearance of the eventual photograph. The LCD Viewfinder is fitted with a shutter release and a cable so it can be used and positioned at a considerable distance from the camera, making it possible to do remote photography while checking the image on the screen.

The N1 is fitted with a focal-plane shutter with a maximum speed of 1/8000 second and a maximum flash sync speed of 1/250 second. To enhance the range of artistic effects achievable with the N1 we have also increased the range of adjustable aperture settings.

The camera's metering system divides the picture area into five independent sections and measures the light falling on each. You have the option of using matrix, center-weighted or spot metering patterns. It's possible, using matrix in conventional lighting situations or when using back lighting, to take pictures with virtually no further adjustment to the exposure. Center-weighted average metering is best selected for high-speed shots, while Spot metering allows you to make careful adjustments to exposure settings. Exposure modes include aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program and manual plus TTL auto flash.

Flash photographers can take advantage of a Flash Auto-Set Function when attaching the optional TLA360 flash (350). This mode gathers data concerning the speed of the film, the aperture size and the lens focus, and displays them on the reverse of the flash unit, automatically adjusting the angle of the light in response to the lens focus. The balance between flash lighting and natural lighting can be corrected by adjusting the exposure settings on the flash independently of those on the camera body. Using this flash Auto-Set Function, flash lighting can be applied to a wider range of photographic situations and the camera and flash can be operated as a single, integrated system.

Twenty different custom functions can be tailored according to the users' preferences and an optional D-10 Multifunction Data-Back can be attached to record vital exposure information between the film frames.

Optional D-10 Multifunction Data-Back The 390 D-10 Data-Back lets you record the date a photo is taken and add technical data concerning exposure. This is useful if you want to preserve and organise information on the type of photograph and exposure settings and compare the results with settings used. The following info can be recorded on the first two frames of a roll of film: Time, day, month and year the film was loaded Camera used: 'N1' Exposure data (exposure adjustment settings; shutter speed; aperture size; exposure mode) Frame number (every five frames) Time, day, month and year the film was rewound

One of four modes can be set to record info relating to individual photographs between each frame of the film. These are as follows: 1 Date (year, month, day; month, day, year; day, month, year; or day, hour, minute) 2 Exposure data (exposure adjustment settings; shutter speed; aperture size; exposure mode or two letters of text) 3 Counter number (four-digit cumulative counter and film counter) and two letters of text 4 User-entered six-digit number and two characters of text You can also switch the back off so no information is recorded and it's equipped with a convenient timed exposure feature which is useful for time-lapse photography, etc.

NAM-1 Mount Adapter makes it possible to use medium-format lenses from the Contax 645 without making any adjustments. With the 320 NAM-1 Mount Adapter, all Carl Zeiss T* lenses from the medium-format Contax 645 camera can be used on the N1 and their automatic aperture and auto focus will function without further adjustment. The N1 makes use of the center of the lens, which is the most effective part of a medium-format lens so users are promised a level of quality exceeding that of lenses normally fitted to 35mm cameras. The mount will not work with older manual focus lenses which, unfortunately, cannot be used. Fine Focus ABC cannot be used with lenses from the Contax 645.

N Digital Camera for Spring 2001. Detailed specifications for the N Digital camera are not available at this time, but it is confirmed that it will utilize a six-million pixel sensor. The N1 now proudly joins the family of Contax SLR's. But while the N1 system provides yet another option to photographers, the Contax tradition of allowing photographers to totally control their camera with manual focus will continue. It's all part of the Contax belief to allow each individual photographer to select the camera and lenses that provide them with the ability to express their creativity.

Custom functions Having a custom function option allows photographers to set up the camera to perform to their tailored needs. The following 20 functions can be selected: 1 Power hold interval. The time to auto power off can be set to 4, 8, 12, or 16 seconds. 2 AE lock, activated by pressing the shutter button half way, can be turned on or off. 3 AE lock on the exposure check button can be switched on or off. 4 The shutter increment settings on the command dial can be set to 1.0Ev or 0.5Ev. 5 The exposure adjustment increment on the command dial can be set to 0.3Ev or 0.5Ev. 6 The Matrix light meter display can be adjusted to show (a) the divergence from Center-Weighted Average Metering (b) the divergence from Spot Metering (c) No display. 7 Order in which exposure settings are made (standard-over-under or over-standard-under). 8 ABC Focus Mechanism adjustment parameter (depth of field set to installed lens aperture or depth of field set to twice installed lens aperture). 9 ABC Focus Mechanism focusing mode (MF/SAF). 10 ABC Focus Mechanism (on/off). 11 Supplementary AF lighting (on/off). 12 AF audible focus signal (on/off). 13 Superimposed image when the shutter button is pressed half way (the focus frame flashes red for a moment: on/off). 14 Superimposed image when focus is achieved (on/off). 15 Automatic rewind (on/off). 16 End of film is left exposed when film is rewound (on/off). 17 Aperture button function toggle (aperture closes during time that button is depressed/aperture closes by a small amount each time button is depressed. 18 Rewind volume (normal/slow and quiet). 19 Focusing screen light metering adjustment (on/off (when focusing screen FX-1 is used). 20 Focus button function when focus switch dial is at 'M' (SAF/CAF) CLE: Initialize of custom functions.